Non-Profit Hunger Games

I would like to know more about money, how it works. Not because I want to make lots of it, but because it “makes the world go round” and is the “root of all evil,” right?

Where does money fit into a livable future? How do we end capitalism? I have questions.

I was fascinated by Charles Eisenstein’s book Sacred Economics. My main takeaway was that money as a means of exchange isn’t the problem, it’s money as the accumulator of wealth.

In The Ministry for the Future, when Kim Stanley Robinson incorporated what the future of money might look like, I had glimmers of understanding. I learned about the Mondragon Corporation, a federation of worker cooperatives in the Basque region of Spain. Why have the cooperatives persisted there but not spread elsewhere?

I am interested in degrowth. But it’s pretty much in the theory stage. I’m open to learning more and facilitating positive change so money works better for us — all of us.

But right now, I’m living in the broken system, like everyone else.

Unfortunately, I’m being asked for money CONSTANTLY.

At midnight on December 31st, will raise my glass to toast the end of the ‘end of year asks’ for donations.

I’m sorry Maggie Hassan won’t reach her fundraising goal if I don’t give. I’m sorry I can’t support the Women’s March’s fight for safe, legal abortions. It’s stressful saying no. I’d love to give them all what they need, but I am just a concerned citizen eking out a frugal life.

Here are just a few asks from today:

Cornel West asking for the People for the American Way

Beto for Texas

Transition US

The Wilderness Society

ACLU

Inside Climate News

Emily’s List

Post Carbon Institute

Earth Ministry

Plug in America

AAUW

Public Citizen

350.org

Seattle Public Library

The list goes on. I delete them and they keep coming.

What kind of system are we living in that organizations ask individuals for money? Over and over, day in and day out, non-profits beg me for money. I can’t imagine it’s just me.

I realize it’s worse (I hope) from Giving Tuesday until the end of the year. I look forward to opening my email to read climate news on January 1st without that donate button prominently placed in the middle of each one.

I realize that the list speaks to my personality and what I do with my time. I know that not everyone is being asked for money.

I went to Crossfit on the day after Giving Tuesday. I said I was so happy it was over so I might get fewer asks for money. My fellow gym-goers looked at me quizzically.

Giving Tuesday was November 30th this year. It is always the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Black Friday, Cyber Monday then Giving Tuesday. It started in 2012 and is described as a global day of giving — a global generosity movement. Well, I would love for it to end. I would love to find another way.

The asks didn’t end after Giving Tuesday. They have continued through today and will continue until the end of the year. Why do I even believe they will end then?

I want to know how capitalism will end.

I am working toward a more just, fair, healthy future. So are all the groups that are asking for money.

It’s a little bit better now that we’re in the New Year, fewer asks. But a system where groups wanting to do good work, protect the environment, protect voting rights, end poverty, have to beg for money every day. It’s not good for me and it’s not good for them. I would gladly pay higher taxes to fund non-profits. I can do without the “freedom” to say no every day.

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This post was previously published on Medium.com.

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